"We were expecting a reduction but we are disappointed by the result," Baxter said.

The jury was told that Miller contacted Equifax eight times between 2009 and 2011 to correct inaccuracies, including erroneous accounts and collection attempts, as well as an incorrect Social Security number and birthday. The Marion County woman's lawsuit alleged the Atlanta-based company failed to correct the mistakes.

Miller discovered the problem when she was denied credit by a bank in December 2009.

Courts have generally been moving toward punitive damages within a single-digit ratio of what was awarded in compensatory damages. Brown's order noted that her reduction to $1.62 million still represented "the highest single-digit ratio accepted within constitutional limits" at 9-to-1.

"The court concludes Equifax engaged in reprehensible conduct that caused real harm to Miller," Brown wrote. "The amount of the punitive-damages award, although within constitutional limits, nevertheless, should be enough to deter Equifax and others similarly situated from repeating this type of conduct in the future."

The jury award in July was one of the largest granted to a consumer in a case against a major credit bureau. Equifax appealed in December.

"We were expecting a reduction but we are disappointed by the result," Baxter said.

The jury was told that Miller contacted Equifax eight times between 2009 and 2011 to correct inaccuracies, including erroneous accounts and collection attempts, as well as an incorrect Social Security number and birthday. The Marion County woman's lawsuit alleged the Atlanta-based company failed to correct the mistakes.

Miller discovered the problem when she was denied credit by a bank in December 2009.

Courts have generally been moving toward punitive damages within a single-digit ratio of what was awarded in compensatory damages. Brown's order noted that her reduction to $1.62 million still represented "the highest single-digit ratio accepted within constitutional limits" at 9-to-1.

"The court concludes Equifax engaged in reprehensible conduct that caused real harm to Miller," Brown wrote. "The amount of the punitive-damages award, although within constitutional limits, nevertheless, should be enough to deter Equifax and others similarly situated from repeating this type of conduct in the future."

The jury award in July was one of the largest granted to a consumer in a case against a major credit bureau. Equifax appealed in December.